Page 62 of She Gives Love a Bad Name

“I’m only going to ask you once.” I lean against the counter and cross my arms. “What the hell is going on? Is this a long con? Are you using me to gain access to the loot you couldn’t steal the night your accomplice murdered Lionel Madison?”

“What?” She snaps to attention and fervently shakes her head. “No.”

“Here’s what I think.” I pace the floor around her. “I think you decided to get a job that put you in the middle of all that money, and when you found the right moment, your accomplice came to help you steal the cash. But the old man came home and got himself killed. You didn’t like that, so he turned on you.”

Quinn’s stunned expression doesn’t shift. “No. That’s not what happened. I told you already.”

“You lied to me.”

“Not about what happened that night.”

“So, your suggestion to return to the scene of the crime just happened to put you within reach of a payday? Or was it a calculated plan, you showing up on my doorstep, an injured witness? Digging your claws into me until I relented and followed your suggestion to take you back?” My teeth grind at the possibility of her deception playing out in such a way.

“No, no. No!” She shouts, throwing her hands up. “I told you already. I was trying to go straight. I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. He would have killed me if he caught me. I came to you for help. I had nowhere else to go!” Her passion flares to life, and it’s infuriating how sexy she is even when I’m pissed off.

I grab her by both arms. “Then tell me why I just caught you stealing?”

“Because I needed the fucking money.”

“Why?”

Her gaze drops to the empty space between us.

“I have an outstanding debt.”

“Who?”

“Does it matter?” She tries to pull away, but I hold her in place.

“If it makes you desperate enough to steal from a dead man right under my nose, then yes, it fucking matters.” It takes all my effort to soften my tone. Even through the fury, I care about her. Damn it. “Tell me.”

“My stepbrother.” She pinches her eyes closed.

“Your stepbrother?” I shake my head trying to make sense of what she’s saying. What the hell is he holding over her?

“Yeah. Yesterday he summoned me to let me know I had a week to repay the debt I owe him, or...” Her voice trails off.

“Or what?”

“He’s going to make me pay it back another way.” Her hopeless tone strikes me in the gut. “He’s the reason I’m stuck like this.”

“Who is your stepbrother?” I growl the words between gritted teeth.

She tugs free of my hold and backs away. “This isn’t your fight, Grant. Please. I can’t let you get caught up in this mess.”

“What do you mean he’s the reason you’re stuck like this?”

Quinn collapses on the couch and clutches a pillow to her chest.

“When mom got sick, I couldn’t afford her care, not without his help. So I did what he told me to do. I broke free when I was twenty, but he still found ways to hold it over my head.” Tears pool at the corner of her eyes, but she brushes them away. “He paid for her hospital bills in exchange for my services. After she died, I thought I was finally free and clear.”

“So he sent for you to clear the last of your debt?”

“Yeah.”

I cup her chin, forcing her to look at me. “Why didn’t you tell me the truth yesterday?”

“Because it’s not your responsibility.I’mnot your responsibility. This ismydebt.” She tenses but doesn’t pull away from my touch. “I don’t want to put you in danger.”

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